Kenny Perry's Plumb Bob & The Tao of Johnny Miller

I first noticed Kenny Perry's predilection for the plumb bob a few months ago at the Travelers Championship.

It was a week after the water-logged U.S. Open, and Kenny was killing it with his Craz-E mallet. Ultimately, he won with a 258, the lowest score in the tournament's 57 year history.

I've got to admit I was impressed... So I immediately adopted my own, made-up version of the technique, which relied heavily on guesswork and odds. Naturally it didn't help me, and that's the thing... there's quite a bit of debate on the effectiveness of plumb-bobbing... and exactly how to do it. Many experts don't even believe in it. And though it seemed to work just fine for Kenny Perry at the Travelers, it had failed him a couple of months earlier at The Masters. I mean... who could forget that disaster? Well, just in case you did, here's a snippet of Jason Sobel's Master's Live Blog from the 17th hole on Sunday (click to enlarge it if you dare):


I know, painful, right? So yes; its usefulness is debatable and some feel any help a golfer gets from it is simply for the fact that it's a confidence builder...a way to confirm a first impression.


Which brings us to Johnny Miller, the bombastic broadcaster and World Golf Hall of Fame member who seems to annoy
the holy living crap out of everyone on the planetsome people. His caustic commentary features the kind of hyperbole that produces frequent, collective eyerolling each Sunday. OK, so last weekend at East Lake, there was Mr. Perry, plumb-bobbing away, when the dogmatic Mr. Miller declared with his usual assurance, "He has no idea what he's doing with that plumb bob", and added smugly that he himself had learned to plumb bob from..."the guy who invented it."

Groans and eye-rolling ensue across the world, and at the same moment Kenny rolls his putt right into the center of the cup for birdie. Never at a loss for words Johnny quipped cheerfully, "Whatever he's doing it seems to be working for him".


And that my friends, is the Tao of Johnny Miller. He just says it... and doesn't much worry what it is. And lots of golf fans like him for that. Well maybe not lots, but he's definitely got his fans. Have a look at the Forums; they all seem to have at least one Johnny Miller topic, and a serpentine tangle of Johnny Miller threads, and yes you'll see, there are Miller admirers, but that said, you'll be left with no doubt about the passion of his detractors... and they're not afraid to articulate their opinion of the former golf great. 

A perfunctory "Johnny Miller is..." Google search yielded the following reactions. Be forewarned some of them are quite visceral:

a loud-mouth, gutless liar
a Tool
a complete jerk
a total loser
a very good golf announcer
a foul-mouthed person who assumes he knows everything
a horrible announcer
a divisive TV commentator
a photographer based in Brooklyn, New Yorka jack-ass
a disgrace to golf and television announcing
a d1ck
a moron with barely a pulse
a stand-out when it comes to honest and knowledgeable commentary
a jealous, opinionated, self-serving announcer
a nice guy who was a good golfer
a bitter old fool
a know-it-all jerk
a total a$$hole

...among others. So there you have it, a plethora of opinions about a controversial personality. Of course I totally understand what it is people don't like about him, but I've got to admit I find him more entertaining than many of the other commentators and some of his quotes are priceless. My all-time favorite Millerism ... everyone has a favorite, right?... is: "He made a perfect putt but misread it" ...because I do that all the time, plumb bob or no plumb bob.

Photos: Kenny Perry/GolfGirlMedia ✿ Johnny Miller/Joey Terill via Golf Digest ✿

Rory Mcilroy's Weekend... Under Monty's Watchful Eye

He wore dorky looking cool shades and whispered into his cell phone.

I'm guessing it was his girlfriend on the other end, wondering how things were going in Paris. Girlfriends do tend to wonder about such things... it's part of normal girlfriend behavior... particularly if you're dating a rapidly rising star like Rory Mcilroy... and you're only 16, like Holly is.

At Saint-Nom-La Breteche golf course, the weekend featured a pure cerulean sky and forests tinged with a warm ocherous glow. The International field was energized and upbeat, and the boys were getting on really well. However, for young Rory the mood this dazzling Autumn weekend was tempered by the disquieting presence of Colin Montgomerie.

Monty was in Paris to assess players for his 2010 Ryder Cup team and was already irked by the absence of a few guys he felt should have been in there, but weren't.

Rory also realized that his own reckless statement about the Ryder Cup was still fresh in the curmudgeonly captain's mind as well. It had been a careless thing to say; to refer to the revered Ryder Cup as an "exhibition match".

Yes, for a brief moment Rory had found himself channeling Tiger...then quickly realized Tiger would never have made the statement publicly. So there had been the backtracking, the smoothing things over, and on the surface everything seemed to be OK on this Autumnal French golf course, but Rory wasn't completely at ease.

Once the matches got underway, and a fifth consecutive victory began to seem likely for Great Britain/Ireland, Rory felt like he could finally chill, and by the time he got to his match with Henrik Stenson... the match he wanted all week... he was able to win it, and win accolades from the international assemblage of top golfers. What's more, the once skeptical Mr. Montgomerie was now saying he wanted Rory Mcilroy out first for the Europeans at Celtic Manor... Rory would be asked to lead the charge as a Ryder Cup rookie.

So finally, in the waning Sunday afternoon sunshine the elfin Ulsterman got to enjoy a bit of that idyllic weekend in France. He swilled champagne right out of the bottle and called Holly. Told her he missed her... and his new Ferrari. She laughed, the way shy 16 year olds do. Knowing her boyfriend was destined for greatness but not knowing quite how to feel about it.

As for Rory himself, he's headed to Scotland and the Old Course at St Andrews for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Implausible as it may sound, he finds the Old Course easy. After all, he's played it 15 or 20 times... and the worst he's ever scored there in either his amature or professional career was a 69.

There's so much more I could write about Rory Mcilroy and his unique gift for golf. It'll be fascinating to watch him evolve... from this indian summer weekend at the beginning of his career... to whatever lofty heights he may reach over the next decade.

Photos: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images ❀ ❀

Phil Mickelson's End-of-Season Style Statement

No matter what you think of the one affectionately known as FIGJAM, there's no denying he finished the season with a flourish.

In doing so he undoubtedly lightened the hearts of PGA honchos... and (temporarily) muted even the most vocal Fedex Cup critics. But few remarked on the subtle changes to Mr. Mickelson's look that added to the impact of his dramatic comeback.

A few of the elements that contributed to Mr. Mickelson's improved aesthetic are pictured above as follows (l to r):

A leaner waistline : This allowed for the wearing of a close-to-the-body, eurostyle shirt without the ridicule that ensued earlier in the season. The choice of a traditional dark belt (after his daring dalliance with The Full Cleveland proved disastrous) demonstrates Mickelson's return to restraint. Or possibly a final warning from fashion police.

The surprising shiny trousers : You may not have noticed, but Phil's trousers yesterday had a distinct and delightful sheen to them. It was subtle, hence way under-reported. In fact, kudos to the awesome new apparel blog, Chapeau Noir for highlighting... and celebrating... this playful departure from the traditional.

The astonishing absence of Moobs : Mr. Mickelson's pecs were nearly impeccable yesterday, undoubtedly another happy result of his leaner physique. For a guy who made runner-up on the Best Moobs in Sports list and once earned the nickname Moobs Mickelson, this is an impressive transformation, and if maintained will allow Phil to wear the edgier, body-hugging shirts that define today's buff and stylish professional golfers.

So, professionally... and stylistically... the golf season ended on the up for Phil, and as many of the golf scribes noted, that gives us something sweet to look forward to in 2010.

The FedEx Cup's Unpredictably Predictable Outcome

I think that's a fair assesment, don't you? Because although the end result was exactly what one might have predicted at the start of the season... Tiger Woods winning the cup and Phil Mickelson in second... the route that led there was actually quite circuitous.

To the extent that the cup was up for grabs - under a number of different scenarios - till almost the very end.

As Shane Bacon put it, writing for Fanhouse earlier this evening,

"...this thing was back and forth all day. Steve Stricker had a chance to win the whole thing. So did Sean O'Hair. Even Mickelson, who needed Tiger to finish eighth even with his win, looked like it wasn't completely out of reach as Woods continued to miss birdie putts and Phil continued to make his (at one point in the round, Phil had eight straight one-putts)."

I don't think I need to mention that Lefty's last couple of months have been somewhat abysmal. So when you consider that he ultimately clinched the series-ending Tour Championship for his Fedex Cup second place... and did so with a breathtaking run of birdies...after an inauspicious + 3 starting round... well, you see what I mean by unpredictable. Then the dust settles this afternoon on that perfectly intact Tiger/Phil-rivalry-set-up for 2010. That's what I mean by predictable.

Despite the twists and turns of decidedly odd 2009 season, we all knew it would turn out this way, right?

Looking at Costa Navarino on World Tourism Day

Golf Tourism: Trips undertaken by persons for which the main purpose is to play golf.

You probably didn't know this, but today is World Tourism Day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the role of tourism within the international community and to show how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide. I've got to admit, I rarely think about those things when I take a trip.

This "awareness day" might be a good time to look a little more closely at golf tourism which is being developed in more places than ever... often countries with little golf history, and not known for golf travel.

I experienced this on my recent trip to Greece where, up till recently, there had been little thought given to golf...or golf tourists. Greece is known for beautiful beaches and typical island villages, but with only one course serving the 4 million Athenians... and just four others, widely scattered across the country... golfers weren't exactly being courted.

That's clearly changing, however. The infrastructure development that took place leading up to the the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, as well as the exposure that came with international coverage of the games, finally set the stage for golf resort development, and the Spring 2010 opening of Troon Golf's Navarino Dunes, in the Southwest Peloponnese on the Ionian Sea, will be our first glimpse of Greece as an international golf destination.

The course, designed by Hall of Fame golfer Bernhard Langer, will be one of two. It'll be followed by Navarino Bay, signed: Robert Trent Jones II. The courses will be a mere three miles apart, yet dramatically different, each taking advantage of natural attributes in the stunning coastal landscape. Each will have its own clubhouse and golf academy, and the development will include residential real estate as well as cluster of top hotels, including Westin, Banyan Tree and Luxury Collection.

This particular type of development can impact a region - both positively and negatively - more than any other type, with its inherent environmental alterations, water usage issues and traffic implications, and it's reassuring to see that the development company, TEMES SA, is committed to creating something overwhelmingly positive. They're working in conjunction with a number of environmental organizations to protect the natural setting and highlight the region’s unique beauty, the collective aim being to ensure that Costa Navarino becomes a true ecotourism destination, and a catalyst for protection of the environment. A laudable goal and one to celebrate on World Tourism Day.

I'll be bringing you updates on Costa Navarino over the next several months, and hopefully a firsthand look once it opens for golf in late Spring. In the meantime you can follow Costa Navarino yourself on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You may just decide to make Greece your next golf travel destination.

A Spanish Golfer's Controversial Banana Statement

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"Tiger in the hunt at the Tour Championship"

It's the dominant golf story on these shores at the moment - and probably will be through the weekend - so I decided to leave it on the back burner for a little while and look across the ocean to Europe for something a bit less... predictable.

I naturally focused on the gorgeous Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche GC where the Vivendi Trophy is taking place. I learned that Britain-Ireland had built their lead over Continental Europe... and that a renewed Montgomerie/Poulter tensions had died down after a few artful Tweets on Mr. Poulter's part.

But the big story... the one that's gone viral... is the bold political statement made by Spanish golfer Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño in the middle of a four ball round. It was captured in a 10 second clip featuring the 2008 British Masters winner dramatically disrobing a banana, while playing partner, Miguel Angel Jimenez looks on. "Message to Zapatero: "You're going to strip us all naked."

That's the english translation, and Zapatero refers to Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The succinct statement is thought to be a jab at a proposed tax hike. It may not sound like big news over here, but in Spain it certainly seems to have struck a chord. In less than 48 hours this modest little YouTube clip has been viewed almost 85,000 times.

H/T Lawrence Donegan and Irish Golf Desk ❀ +

A Female's Guide to Guys on the Golf Course

For quite a while I've wanted to write a simple guide for female golfers.

I'm not talking about a guide to the fundamentals of putting, or a guide to female-friendly courses... not this time, anyway. What I've been hoping to create is a comprehensive guide to the varied and fascinating male species that inhabit the average golf course.

Unfortunately, I've had to keep putting this important project on hold for lack of time, and that's been very frustrating.

Well, today I came upon a excellent blog post on Stracka.com, the popular social network for golfers. The writer is a girl named Sylla who appears to be a proficient golfer as well as a good writer. The piece, called "Men on the golf course (a woman's perspective)" provides a nice breakdown of the main "Golf Course Male" categories and her list includes:

1- The Daddy 2- The Flirt 3- The Couple 4- The Macho 5- The Nice Guy

Sylla provides a detailed description of each, as well as engaging stories of actual encounters with some of them. So have a look at Sylla's blog over on Stracka. BTW, While you're there you may want to check out Sylla's provocative post on Golf Course Females.

Yep, she's an equal opportunity analyzer.

Vijay Singh and His Uncharacteristically Crappy Season

Yes, crappy. That word was used by the Big Fijian himself to describe a decidedly lackluster 2009.

I took these photos in mid-June at The Travelers Championship. The summer was young and it still seemed possible that the three-time major winner might turn things around and end the season with accolades. After all, he did just that in 2008 when his first win didn't come till August.

But 2009 began with knee surgery... from which in retrospect, he acknowledges he may have come back too soon. A series of ... inauspicious... events followed, and led him here; to the waning days of this crappy season.

Vijay won't be present at The Tour Championship this year. Multiple missed cuts and nary a win have seen to that. And it's unfortunate, not only for me, and his other fans, but... I'd venture to say... for anyone attending the upcoming tournament at East Lake.

Because the thing is... Vijay Singh, whatever one might think of him, and however much one might hate him, is one of the most captivating players in the world to watch. And as extraordinary as his swing may be, that's not what I'm talking about here.

What I'm referring to is his physical presence; his body language, the way he moves and stands and...breathes. Yes. Even in the simplest gestures he projects an inborn physical grace. It's completely natural, but appears almost theatrical. If you've only seen him on television you're probably wondering what I'm talking about, because it doesn't translate well to the screen, where he often looks bored and aloof. It doesn't come across in interviews or posed photos either.

But at a tournament, when Vijay approaches a green the spectators collectively notice something more than just the man. It's palpable, and it's something you must see in person. If you have I'm quite sure you'll agree with me.

In a couple of weeks Vijay will be playing in the President's Cup and recently announced he'll play in the Australian PGA Championship in early December. Some say he'll do whatever he can to avoid a win-less 2009. At that point they usually bring up his age.

Then there are fans like me. We're just happy to see Vijay put the crappy season behind him. And we're 100% sure he'll be back on top in 2010 even if he is 46 years old. Because... he's Vijay.

Vijay Singh at the 2009 Travelers Championship ❀ Photos: Golf Girl Media

Mad Men Tragedy - "He'll Never Play Golf Again"

I'm assuming you've probably seen Mad Men.

In fact, I'm guessing you may even be addicted to its smokey evocative depiction of life at a Madison Avenue ad agency in the early 1960s. I know I am.

The AMC Series won "Best Drama" for the second time at the Emmys a couple of nights ago, and on the same night aired its most... shocking... episode to date. One that culminated in copious blood spatter, wrought by an inebriated office party reveler at the wheel a John Deere tractor mower.

I won't reveal any additional details... so as no to spoil things for those who'll watch the episode at a later date... except to say that a number of reviewers have agreed that the best line of the night was: "He'll never be able to golf again."

Suffice to say that the writing team's ability to merge melodrama with high comedy is a huge part of what makes this line... and the show... so unique.

The thing that's most remarkable about Mad Men however, is how clearly it demonstrates the changes in American moral values that took place in the second half of the twentieth century... epic changes in the way we look at family, career and the respective roles of men and women. And interestingly, these changes seem to be responsible for at least some of the challenges facing golf today. After all, "shifting family responsibilities" is one of the factors most often cited for the decline in the number of golf rounds played each year and the fact that we can so easily imagine these Mad Men spending endless hours on the golf course without criticism or guilt is proof that their family responsibilities were quite different from those 21st century men routinely assume.

Whether or not you agree with this conclusion, the show is extremely entertaining and you should watch it if you don't already. Just prepare yourself for possible addiction.

Golf, Kissing and John Daly... in Autumnal Ireland

Back in the waning years of the 20th century I was an intrepid young traveler with a backpack, a railpass, very little money... and not the slightest interest in golf.

One of the most enchanting places I visited on my year long odyssey was Ireland, and I've often longed to go back. Since
taking upbecoming obsessed with golf, that longing has only gotten stronger, as beautiful Irish courses are so often featured in the golf media.

So this morning when I ran into a neighborhood friend of mine just back from a week on the Emerald Isle, I couldn't wait to hear about it. It turns out that she... a beginning golfer... and husband who's played forever, stayed on the east coast, in and around the city of Cork, and though it was originally planned as a golf-free week of sightseeing and relaxation, in the end, her low handicap hubby had turned it into a full-on golf trip.

I remembered Cork as old fashioned and charming with its Georgian buildings, ornate cathedrals and winding canals, but I didn't associate the area with golf. For some reason I'd always (somewhat pretentiously) pictured myself playing on the ragged, windswept coast of Western Ireland, at Ballybunion or Old Head.

However, my neighbor managed to change my mind on this. She described the east coast courses they played at as visually stunning and very challenging, but without the fierce gales of the Atlantic. The highlight it seems, was their two nights (and two rounds)at Blarney Golf Resort. The course was designed by none other than John Daly which at first intimidated my novice golfer neighbor but she reported that the multiple tee locations allowed her to enjoy the winding woodland track as much as her better-half did. They raved about the resort and it's amenities too.

I must warn you though if you do decide spend time in the area around Cork your stay will almost certainly include a trip to Blarney Castle where you'll be urged to kiss the Blarney Stone and you'll probably accept like I did, because after all, kissing the mystical stone is supposed to make you an articulate and eloquent speaker. What they don't tell you is that in order to accomplish this magic kiss you'll need climb to the top of the castle and wait in a sometimes lengthy kissing line. Then you'll have to bend backwards over the ledge of a soaring stone tower while
some random dudea trained "Stone Kissing Assistant" holds onto you in disarmingly intimate way. Then you're in position kiss the cold, ancient grey stone... that's already been kissed by millions of strangers and has been named one of the world's most unhygienic tourist attractions.



You may wish to stick to golf.

Remarkable Ryo Ishikawa - Best Dressed Golfer of 2009

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The above tableau presents just a few of the creative color combinations worn by Japan's phenomenal young star, Ryo Ishikawa.

The captivating colors of Ryo... are pure and bold. And they leave no doubt about the shy golfer's underlying confidence. Though never pompous or haughty, the soft spoken seventeen year old doesn't hesitate to take chances with his strong style statements.

When the superlative Shane Bacon asked me to weigh in on "golf's most fashionable in 2009" for a series on the best of 2009 at Fanhouse, I immediately thought of the one they call "the Bashful Prince".

Ryo's English is still very limited, but as the video below illustrates he is attempting to learn... and in the meantime, not afraid to try. And if you're puzzling over the pronunciation of his name, Ryo shows you how it's done.

A Busy Week Working on the Golf Girl Book

The past week has been kind of crazy.

My book...the one I've been alluding to for a while now...is basically finished. So, first of all, and to sum things up in literary terms: Yay!

Writing my Little Tartan Book has been an awesome experience. It challenged me in ways I hadn't expected, and ultimately I feel I learned volumes: about writing, about golf and about myself.

The book won't actually be out till Spring, but time passes very quickly and pre-orders will be possible well before that.

So... I'm now working with my publisher on a few final edits and the last couple of design tweaks. And, I'm planning the release, with a book tour, a new website and lots of other fun, flirty, fashionable initiatives. I'll keep you up-to-date on all of it right here.

Growing Golf - A New Golf Blog for Women on Course

I've written about Women on Course before; it's the awesome golf networking organization that's been introducing and connecting women to golf...and the golf lifestyle... in a really fun way, for a couple of years now. Their golf events take place nationally and include golf and lifestyle speakers, stylish golf apparel and myriad opportunities to learn and play the game.

And here's the thing about Women On Course; they're among the rare golf organizations that understands... and embraces... the one concept that will allow golf to grow, particularly among women, in coming years: the little-known fact that, guess what? you don’t have to spend five hours on the course to really enjoy golf and take advantage of it's networking and social benefits.

This is exactly what I try to communicate to the many women I meet who say they'd like to take up golf... but have been turned off by tales of the extremely long learning curve and five hour rounds. Ironically, there's been little support for this concept from most golf organizations, so it's great to see Women on Course actually celebrating it.

And now Women on Course is blogging. In addition to their great website where you can: find out about and register for events, become a member and social network with other members, and shop for a well edited selection of cool and unusual golf items... there's now a blog that brings the Women on Course attitude to life and invites interaction. Weather it's a simple golf tip or an etiquette issue explained or a description of on of the WoC events it'll give you added insight into this new golf world where the game becomes part of fun and fulfilling lifestyle.

Argentine Champion Looks Awesome in Argyle

Newly minted tennis superstar, Juan Martin del Potro is wearing his US Open victory well. The argyle sweater kind of works for him too.

I happen to love Argyle, and the popular pattern of diagonal diamonds - apparently derived from a Scottish tartan - has a long, strong association with golf. So when I saw the swashbuckling young star chatting with Charlie Rose last night in his blue and gray Argyle, I naturally wondered if the athletic Argentine was a golfer. After all, his countryman, Angel Cabrera is the reigning Masters Champion and one of the best golfers in the world.

Ultimately, my exahustive research quick Google search produced no evidence of golf in Mr. del Potro's past... or present... but that's not to say he doesn't play and such evidence may emerge. And that would be great because it seems Juan Martin del Potro... with his good looks, charming personality and killer tennis game... is well on his way to becoming a household name.

Photo: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America ❀

Art, Nudity and The Golf Widows of Paul Milosevich

They gaze placidly out of windows onto the verdurous fairways and immaculate greens of anonymous golf courses.

One of them appears to be playing a half-hearted hand of solitaire - with a tableau of playing cards set out before her - while another clutches in her hand a leaflet for the tournament that has presumably commandeered her companion.

As for the landscapes, they vary somewhat; from the distinctly western, red rock towers of Sedona and Santa Fe, to the lush, green mountains of Kauai. Then there's the portrait playfully named "Grand Tetons" in which you probably didn't even notice the Wyoming Mountain Range.

The subjects are all women...and the women are all unabashedly naked. They're the Golf Widows; a series of female nudes by painter Paul Milosevich, a contemporary Southwestern artist with a lifelong passion for golf.

In addition to this provocative series of oil paintings, dedicated, as the artist explains, to remembering the "Ladies left behind", Mr. Milosevich has painted many facets of the game of golf. His work hangs many national museums and a number of golf venues, including the USGA Museum, The PGA of America and the World Golf Hall of Fame. Paul Milosevich was also the Official Portrait Artist for 1999 U.S. Ryder Cup Team and has illustrated a number of golf books. ...But back to the wistful Golf Widows.

Their postures and facial expressions do appear to reflect a subtle longing, but are these girls pining for a lover who left them behind for a day on the links...or are they strategizing their own shots and anticipating a game of their own?

As an Art History major, I learned to visually analyze a painting, and I believe it's the latter. These are Golf Girls and they're looking forward to getting out and playing 18. They just need to put some clothes on first.

Images: Paul Milosevich -Top, "The Searchers"- Below, My Sticks ❀

Japanese Golf Fashion Just Keeps Getting Cuter

Much as I'd like to, I can't seem to outgrow my affinity for Japanese cuteness. My Japanese friends all have... but not me. In fact, they sometimes refer to me derisively as "Queen of Kawaii". Coming from them, that translates roughly to "Immature Dork".

There are however, lots of cute-obsessed souls in the world and many of them will be happy to hear that como!come! a company I wrote about over two years ago, now has an English language web site, where they can check out... and order... the latest designs.

In addition to their beautiful bags and awesome cartoony club covers, como!come! now offers some apparel items. And naturally, the styles are ultra-cute. As illustrated in this fun little video. Warning! Excessive Cuteness Ahead:



There... was that cute enough for you?

Oh, and I'm not the only US blogger writing about this colorful company. The always entertaining Golf Babes wrote about como!come! and young Australian golfer, Marousa Polias who's representing their line. Also, the enigmatic Double Glover, a relatively new and rather prolific golf blogger, with an eye for the cool and unusual, featured their Baby-Tail Clip not long ago.

Too much cute? I don't think so, that would be the domain of Hello Kitty and even the Queen of Kawaii can't handle that much sugar.

Arnie Is 80 - Birthday Wishes for a Golf Style Icon

Beyond being one of the greatest players in history, Arnold Palmer was the first star of golf's television age, and as such, his singular style will forever be associated with the game.

The style is there in photographs and footage from the 50s and 60s, when golf was just beginning to be broadcast nationally, and each year elements of it appear in the collections of contemporary golf designers.

With the twinkle in his eye and his devilish grin, Arnold Palmer could have come right out of central casting, but instead he came from a rather humble club in Latrobe, PA where his father was originally the greens keeper. That relatively modest background - combined with his good looks and demonstrative nature - made him perfect for televised golf where, unlike football or baseball, there wasn't a singular ball to follow.

In golf, the players had to provide the narratives... and the ultra-charismatic Mr. Palmer, with his affability and anything-is-possible back-story, gave the world a great one; one that went a long way towards bringing golf to a mainstream audience and made an invaluable contribution to the game's popularity.

It was on the golf course during the late 50s and early 60s that the Arnold Palmer style was established. It was a style that reflected casual elegance and a certain respect for the order of things. However, even in an era that embraced polite uniformity, Arnold Palmer's style was anything but stiff and formulaic. It was sexy... and in the golf world of the day, slightly subversive.

"Earthy and sexy and tan" is how Sports Illustrated once described Mr. Palmer, and the cardigans and tapered trousers... the Brando-esque stance and hungry expression... are all part of that look. It's a look that reflects the emergence of golf as a popular sport in mid-century America. And it's a look that belongs to Arnie alone. Others will be influenced by it and some will try to imitate it, but only Arnold Palmer will ever own it.

"Mr. Palmer, on behalf of all of us here at Golf Girl's Diary - in other words, on behalf of me - I'd like to wish you a Happy... and stylish... 80th Birthday."

Photos: Top, USGA Museum Archive - Lower, Evening Standard/Getty Images ❀

Sexy Sun Protection for Golfers - Sergio Garcia's Mission

As I was perusing the aisles of my local CVS recently, something seemed slightly out-of-context.

Like many suburban Americans I find myself in that store almost everyday, seduced by its predictable convenience and ample product offering.

On such shopping trips I rarely pay attention to the in-store sound system as it placidly pumps out a blend light favorites and cheery voice-overs for the latest toothpaste or cold medicine. However, when I heard Sergio Garcia's name mentioned (on the heels of a lilting Neil Diamond instrumental) the other day I did take notice.

Turns out the cheery voice guy was talking about Mission Skincare. It's a new line of skincare products... and Sergio Garcia is one of its co-founders. So is Serena Williams.

That being the case, I was actually motivated to investigate further, and what I discovered was a panoply of products many of them sun-related. Being 100% Irish myself, sun protection has always been a total necessity for me. I've tried every SPF product and as a huge fan of the golden tan, I'm sometimes referred to as the queen of the orange skinned aliens self-tanners.

What I found in the Mission Skincare line that I really liked was the Anti-Sting Sunscreen SPF 30+ Facestick (easy to apply and really doesn't sting) and the Fast-Drying Sunscreen SPF 30+ Spray (ultra-easy application and no-mess quickness). The SPF 15 Lip Balmers come in lots of amazing flavors too.

Other awesome stars from a wide variety of sports are involved with Mission Skincare as well; soccer icon Mia Hamm, swimmer Amanda Beard, skateboard phenom Ryan Sheckler and many more. A team that can even make sun protection sexy and that's saying something.

Oh, and by the way, Serena's pomegranate is much tastier than Sergio's mint. IMHO.

LPGA Golfers: Bombastic or Boring? ...Or Just Right?

Presumably, a personality is shaped by a number of things.

These days most psychologists feel that personality is the result of the "interaction between hereditary factors and cultural, social and situational ones".

I don't know about you, but when I try to alter my personality... so it'll better fit in at an event, or to appeal to a potential employer... it usually doesn't work well. I tend to get distracted by the charade and lose focus altogether.

That's why I find it so counter-productive when writers rant about player personalities.

Yesterday Suzann Pettersen achieved a sweet victory at the CN Canadian Women's Open. It was her first since 2007, the breakout season when she won five times. When I read Eric Francis's suggestion - in EdmontonSun.com - that Pettersen had "shortchanged fans with her lack of flair", adding that "colourless winners like Pettersen do little to help the LPGA's cause". I found it annoying and presumptious particularly coming on the heels of the Solheim Cup where Christina Kim, a player with a more... demonstrative... style, had been criticized by a number of golf writers for her excitable on-course persona and emotional, "in-your-face actions.

Personally, I don't want Suzann Pettersen to try to be more like Cristina Kim... nor do I want to see Cristina Kim "put on" a more sedate personality. I like them both just the way they are and I'm pretty sure they play their best golf that way. I'd suggest that some of these golf writers might be better off celebrating the diverse personalities of the LPGA players and enjoying the amazing golf they play... as themselves.

Photos: Suzann Pettersen by Hunter Martin, Cristina Kim by Scott Halleran © Getty Images ❀

Of Funkmaster Flex, Golf Apparel and "I Am T-Pain"

Funkmaster Flex has been known to transform an ordinary golf cart into something ...quite extraordinary. And whether he actually plays golf or not, he definitely knows how to dress for the sport.

Recently, while testing out the awesome new I Am T-Pain iPhone app,
the corpulent music-mogul-cum-ride-pimper was spotted wearing one of my all-time favorite apparel brands, Lacoste. He chose watermelon orange (seriously) with a complementary cap featuring an elegant letter lockup.

Now all Mr. Taylor Jr. needs to do is exchange the the Auto-Tune-ish app for something like AirVue and he's good to golf.

I'm not sure he'll go for the switch however. I Am T-Pain looks like lots more fun than a rangefinder.

Labor Day Golf Dispatches from the Middle East.

Just this morning Nick got an email from the Arabian desert.

It just so happens his BFF, is a translator for US Army and currently stationed "somewhere in the Middle East".

John-O sent the dispatch to say "thanks" for the the golf equipment Nick, and other friend, sent over recently.

"The troops are putting it to good use on those all-too-rare occasions when some form of golf is actually possible" he wrote, adding that, "this usually implies hitting balls from a makeshift desert driving range, or carrying around a swatch of AstroTurf and a flagstick, to simulate a golf experience...of sorts".

Needless to say, Tillinghast would not approve of the course conditions.

For the guys and gals serving in the Middle East however, entertainment options are limited, and the equipment, even as used in these less-than-optimal conditions, is much appreciated.

Back here in the US this Labor Day weekend, there's a way golfers can support the families of military men and women who've been disabled or killed while serving our country. Thousands of golf courses are charging an extra $1 for tee times in support of Patriot Golf Day, the flagship fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for the children and spouses of fallen soldiers.

If you're off to the beach - or to one last summer barbecue - and don't have time for golf, you can still contribute at the Folds of Honor site.

Best Labor Day Wishes to all.

Share Your Golf Everest - Champion's Video Contest

You may have heard of Robie Vaughn. He's the intrepid golfer from Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas, Texas, who climbed Mt. Everest, reached the summit, and hit several balls... into thin air. He even designed the special three-piece golf club he used for the feat. It fit perfectly into his backpack is now part of a USGA exhibit with Alan Sheppard's club from the moon.

Mr. Vaughn's Golf Everest was literally Mt. Everest, the highest mountain on earth. You may not be considering a trek to the Himalayas any time soon but if you're passionate about golf, chances are you have your own Golf Everest. It might well be more modest than Robie Vaughn's, but it might also be a thousand times more ambitious.

Your Golf Everest could be the milestone number you've been struggling to get under on your score card or a legendary course you long to play. Maybe it's a personal record, or... something more abstract, like a golf invention or idea you wish you could share with the world.

Whatever your own personal Golf Everest may be, Champion Sportswear has a way for you to share it, and possible win $10,000 to help you achieve it. The athletic apparel company is sponsoring What's Your Everest? (I added the Golf because...we're all golfers here, right?). There asking for personal videos or essays about goals and ambitions and aspirations... about what you most want to achieve. The summit - so to speak - of your dreams.

Champion, BTW, makes my absolute favorite golf skirt. It's actually more of a skort than a skirt and it's sometimes referred to as a running skort or a training skort. I just call it "my Champion golf skirt" and I have a half dozen of them. I think that makes me something of an authority on this particular garment. Anyway they're inexpensive, uber-comfortable and fashionably short. I'm not the only golfer who's a fan either. The awesome Ashley Mayo from Golf Digest Woman wrote a piece on Champion Skirts earlier this summer.

Anyway... to get back to Everest... the great thing about this contest is that it encourages entrants to examine their goals maybe get back to work on some that have been abandoned. I know it's had that effect on me, in fact, I'm working on a video right now about my own Golf Everest.

So what does that that mythical mountain represent for you? Now's your chance to let the world know.

Keeping it Clean on the Golf Course... with Ball Brite

OK,  I've got to admit it, I have a thing for clean balls.  Though some may debate the degree to which performance is affected by a layer of dust, or a smudge of mud, or a cart-path scuff, there's no denying that golf balls are carefully weighted and designed for proper aerodynamics, and... I don't know... I just find I play better with balls that shine.

It would be easy for me to fill this post with titillating double-entendres and ribald references... that's always easy when the subject is golf... but I'll try to avoid that tempting trap because what I'm writing about is a ball cleaning product, that's so practical and effective I think it deserves some focus.

Ball Bright is a slender sleeve of neoprene lined with an absorbent inner lining. The idea is, you pour in a small amount of water (a shot glass works) and clip it onto your back belt loop or your bag, then when you find yourself with a dirty ball your just press it into the sleeve. Then slide it around in there for a few seconds and pull it out clean and dry.  It's as simple as that. I received my Ball Brite, right before leaving for Greece and decided to take it along and test it over there. Turns out I couldn't have picked a better testing ground. Greece is a dry country, particularly in August. Dirt and dust are par for the course... quite literally... as are dry pine needles. The fairways and greens are kept in stellar shape with ample irrigation so the resulting muck that can build up on a ball is substantial, particularly if you're like me and tend to frequently miss fairways is an occasional fairway.

Over the course of my trip, and thoughout the five rounds I played there, I used my Ball Brite regularly, and everything about it worked. Even when I (miraculously) found my out-of-bounds ball...caked with sludge, in a grainy mud puddle produced by a forgetful grounds keeper's slowly leaking garden hose... Ball Brite came through, and turned it sparkling white in seconds. There was no dripping or leaking either. None. Nick even used my Ball Brite to clean his much-maligned pitching wedge when it became grimy and grass stained from a particularly challenging stint in the rough. It worked like a charm.

Once back in the USA I simply threw my Ball Brite in the washer and dryer. Now it's ready to do its thing on this side of the Atlantic. And, I just found out today that Ball Brite is offering a challenge to golfers: at their revamped website they're challenging golfers to “Throw in the Towel” and offering a FREE golf towel if they're not blown away by the effectiveness of Ball Brite. Details are at www.ballbritechallenge.com

Ironically, while enjoying my Ball Brite at Glyfada Golf Club I came upon an old abandoned ball cleaner (pictured above) and fell in love with it - you see, I've recently started a collection of retro golf relics. Anyway, I suggested to Nick that we might want to see if we could buy this beauty and bring it home with us. He politely told me to... Go To Hell. OK, that may seem like an over-reaction but it was just after his thing with the pitching wedge. Yeah, you're right... I probably should have waited a couple of holes.

Photos: Golf Ball Washers and Glyfada Golf Course © GolfGirlMedia ❀